Dogs born with short tails, dogs with long tails or dogs with no tails all exist in the world. However, some dogs with long tails may affect their work, appearance and other reasons in the eyes of their owners, so there is the term tail docking. But is it really painless to dock a dog’s tail? When is the best time to dock a dog’s tail?

1. When is the best time to dock a dog’s tail

Generally speaking, the sooner the dog’s tail is docked, the better. It can start around 7 days after the puppy is born. At this time, the puppy's development is not complete, and its tail growth is also very immature. Docking the puppy's tail at this time will cause minimal damage and pain. Once the dog grows up and passes this optimal tail-docking period, you must think carefully when you want to dock the dog's tail.

Moreover, tail docking surgery generally does not require anesthesia when dogs are young, which greatly reduces the risk of surgery. If tail docking is performed when they grow up, they often face the risks of anesthesia, so in dogs Childhood is a better time for tail docking.

2. Reasons for tail docking in dogs

1. Tail docking of hunting dogs

For example, for Cocker Spaniels or Bulldogs, in order to prevent their tails from being scraped by branches and affecting their work when chasing prey, and making them less likely to be discovered by prey, the tails of these dogs will be cut short. To make it easier to chase prey, dogs’ tails are docked.

　2. Working dogs are taxed less

There was a time when raising dogs was the privilege of the aristocracy. Ordinary workers or poor people did not have the right to keep dogs, because raising dogs required heavy taxes. But working dogs are exempt from tax, so people cut their tails short as a sign. However, most dogs nowadays have their tail docked for appearance reasons.

3. Stay alert

Because dogs will tuck their tails when they are scared, and dogs like Dobermans and Bulldogs need to maintain an alert and brave attitude at all times, so the tails of these dogs will also be docked.

4. Show elegance

Nowadays, many people dock their dogs’ tails for the sake of good appearance, but when doing this procedure for their dogs, they must also respect their opinions. Nowadays, tail docking of dogs has almost completely become a practice to satisfy people’s aesthetic needs.

3. Precautions for dog tail docking

Make sure your dog is in good health before docking its tail, try to dock the dog’s tail within 7-10 days after birth. Shave, disinfect the surgical site, and sterilize instruments before surgery. When docking the tail, the blood vessels must be fully ligated to stop bleeding, and the principles of aseptic surgery must be strictly followed. The work of anti-inflammation and medication after surgery cannot be ignored.